Montero y Montero
After Felix Hernandez threw a perfect game on August 15, a bug began to sweep the nation. Celebrities, athletes, even cats—no one was granted immunity. Seattle Sounders forward Fredy Montero was among the casualties — he was caught Felixing.
Montero had seen a fan’s tweet suggesting that all Sounders’ goals should be celebrated by Felixing. He retweeted the idea and then followed through in true form—waving his arms triumphantly in the air, right index finger and leg raised—after scoring the first goal to lead his team to a 2-0 victory against Vancouver on Aug. 18.
“@Mariners: RT @GeorgeDragon206: And all @SoundersFC goal celebrations today should be marked by #Felixing. @Goleador17”/ haha good idea !!
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Fredy Montero (@Goleador17) August 18, 2012As another Latin-American-turned-Seattleite sports star, Montero became the obvious choice to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Supreme Court at Safeco Field. It seemed fitting that another Montero would be behind the plate to catch his first pitch. Mariner catcher and designated hitter Jesus Montero did the honors.
There is no relation between Montero y Montero, although fate would have it that the two, who were born in the neighboring countries of Venezuela and Columbia, would end up playing in neighboring stadiums in Seattle, far from their Latin American hometowns.
Aside from sharing a last name, los Monteros both contribute tremendously to the offense of their respective Seattle teams. Jesus is one of the Mariners leading hitters batting .259 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI, while Fredy has shared or led the Sounders in goals in his past three seasons, and has the potential to do the same this season. Here is a “tale-of-the-tape) for Seattle’s Montero’s:
| Name/Number | Jesus Montero #63 | Fredy Montero #17 |
| Full Name | Jesús Alejandro Montero Lopez | Fredy Henkyer Montero Muñoz |
| League | Major League Baseball | Major League Soccer |
| Team | Seattle Mariners | Seattle Sounders |
| Position | Catcher/Designated Hitter | Forward |
| Major League Debut | Sept. 1, 2011 for New York Yankees | March 19, 2009 for Seattle Sounders |
| Birthday | November 28, 1989 | July 26, 1987 |
| Age | 22 | 25 |
| Place of Birth | Guacara, Venezuela | Campo de la Cruz, Colombia |
| Height/Weight | 6’3”/235 | 5’9”/160 |
- Krista Staudinger
Felix and the Fans: Safeco Field is the Place to be Tonight
Fans lined Dave Niehaus Way prior to the gates opening for tonight’s game vs. the Indians.
On the morning of Wednesday, August 15, 2012, the Seattle Mariners ticket office opened to get ready for that afternoon’s game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Mariners. A check of advance ticket sales for rest of the homestand showed that 11,363 tickets had been sold for the Monday, August 20 game, and 11,969 for the Tuesday, August 21 game.
On the afternoon of August 15, 2012, Mariners ace Felix Hernandez threw the 23rd perfect game in Major League Baseball history.
On Thursday morning, August 16, the perfect game was big news locally, nationally and internationally, and fans had figured out the Felix’s next start was going to be Tuesday night, August 21, against the Cleveland Indians.
On Thursday afternoon, August 16, at 4:00 pm, the Mariners announced the “Supreme Court” promotion tonight, with t-shirts, placards and special ticket prices. And the excitement for the game began to build amongst the fans.
While attendance for last night’s win over the Indians wound up at 14,687, tonight’s paid attendance will be around 37,000. Here is how the advance sales for tonight’s game built during the past week:
Thursday morning: 12,380 Friday morning: 13,592 Monday morning: 22,484 Today morning: 29,830 Today at 1:43 pm: 32,191 Today at 3:51 pm: 34,663 Today at 4:56 pm: 35,715
It has been an amazing response by the baseball fans of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, who are ready for a great baseball show at Safeco Field tonight.
And if you can’t be here, the game will be carried, as always, on 710 ESPN Seattle and ROOT SPORTS.
Fans received their King of Perfection t-shirt, King Felix K Card and even trading cards after passing through the Safeco Field gates.
- RA
Felix Hernandez Named AL Pitcher of the Week
Felix Hernandez was named the AL Pitcher of the Week. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Seattle Mariners right-handed pitcher Felix Hernandez has been named the American League Player of the Week for August 13-19.
Hernandez tossed the 23rd Perfect Game in Major League history on Aug. 15 vs. the Tampa Bay Rays, retiring all 27 batters faced. He struck out 12, and recorded the first Perfect Game in Seattle franchise history, the fourth no-hitter. The 1-0 win was also his third 1-0 victory of the season, setting a Mariners team record.
In recognition of his American League Player of the Week Award, Hernandez will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.
This is Felix’s first career weekly honor. He is the second Mariner to garner the award this season, joining Justin Smoak for the week ending June 3. Felix is the first Mariners pitcher to be named Player of the Week since Joel Pineiro on May 7, 2006.
To celebrate perfection, the Mariners are turning Safeco Field into the “Supreme Court” on Tuesday, as Felix Hernandez takes the mound for his first start since the Perfect Game. The usual “King’s Court” section in left field is expanding to the “Supreme Court” for this game, as the first 34,000 (in honor of Felix’s uniform number, 34) fans entering the ballpark will receive a special “King of Perfection” t-shirt and commemorative “K” card with a photo from the perfect game on the back side.
It is always best to get your tickets ahead of time to avoid possible lines on the night of game. Fans are eager to congratulate Hernandez so a good crowd is expected.
Tickets for all Mariners games are available in advance without no service charge at the Safeco Field Box Office, and at all Seattle Mariners Team Stores (4th and Stewart in downtown Seattle, Bellevue Square, Southcenter Mall and Alderwood Mall). Tickets are also available online at www.mariners.com/tickets and by phone at 1-888-SEA-HITS (732-4487).
Mariners All-Access – King Felix Perfect Game Edition
This week’s Mariners All-Access on ROOT Sports will pay tribute to the perfect game thrown by Felix Hernandez.
Here is a rundown of what you will see on the show…
- See how it all came together in a best of the best highlight package of King Felix in his gem vs. the Rays.
- Hear from Felix just moments after the final out of the 23rd Perfect Game in Major League history.
- Discover when Felix, his coaches and teammates knew it would be a special game.
- Learn what could have happened without a couple nice plays from the defense, and how nervous the players were in the field.
- Hear what the accomplishment means not only to Felix, but his teammates, and the entire Mariners family.
- Plus uncover why it was a foregone conclusion Felix would one day reach this point.
Felix Hernandez delivers the final pitch of his Perfect Game.
The show debuts at noon on Sunday (Aug. 19) prior to the Mariners series finale vs. the Twins (1:10 pm). This edition of Mariners All-Access will also air Monday (8/20 – 6 pm), Wednesday (8/22 – 6:30 pm) and Friday (8/24 – 4 pm).
- JE
Commissioner Selig Sends Letter to King Felix
After throwing his perfect game on Wednesday vs. the Rays, Felix Hernandez received a number of congratulatory phone calls, text messages, e-mails and letters. Heck, he even got King County renamed “King Felix County” for a day. The following is a letter sent from Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig congratulating King Felix on his accomplishment.
Welcome to King Felix County
Accolades for Felix Hernandez and his perfect game keep rolling in. The latest is from King County Executive Dow Constantine, who has proclaimed that on Friday, August 17, King County will be known as King Felix County.
The Supreme Court Will Be In Session Next Tuesday
To celebrate pitching perfection of Felix Hernandez, the Mariners will turn Safeco Field into the “Supreme Court” on Tuesday evening, August 21, as Felix takes the mound against the Cleveland Indians. Game time is 7:10 pm.
The usual “King’s Court” section in left field for Felix’s home starts has been expanded to the “Supreme Court” for this game. The first 34,000 (in honor of his uniform number 34) fans entering the ballpark Tuesday will receive a special bright yellow “King of Perfection” t-shirt and the commemorative “K” card will include a classic photo from the perfect game on the back side.
Special ticket prices will be featured Tuesday. View Level seats have been priced as low as $10 and Main Level seats as low as $30.
This has all the makings of another exciting summer night at Safeco Field, as fans salute Felix. “It’s good to be the King.”
Tickets are on sale now available without service charge at the Safeco Field Box Office and at all Seattle Mariners Team Stores (4th & Stewart in downtown Seattle, Bellevue Square, Southcenter Mall & Alderwood Mall). Tickets are also available online at mariners.com and by phone at 1-888-SEA-HITS (732-4487).
FELIX WILL BE RECOGNIZED PRE-GAME TOMORROW NIGHT
Felix will be given a special plaque to commemorate his historic achievement prior to Friday night’s game at Safeco Field against the Minnesota Twins. Game time is 7:10 pm. Get to the park early to witness this presentation.
Felix’s Perfect Game in Headlines
Here is a look at the front pages of several newspapers local, national and even international highlighting the 23rd Perfect Game in Major League history thrown by Felix Hernandez.
